Major features...
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Tri-band EGSM 900/1800/1900MHz network compatibility
The Nokia 5140 can operate on three separate frequencies – the 900, 1800, or 1900MHz bands. This allows the handset to be used on different continents where the frequency used may change from that here in Australia. Where ever you go the 5140 can come with you – and still operate fully!
Dust/Splash resistant Xpress-On™ shells
The Nokia 5140's Xpress-On™ shells are what make or break the device in terms of durability. The covers securely cover all openings of the handset to make sure no dust or splashes can get to the main board which is also very well manufactured and doesn't contain any openings. If you can get the Xpress-On™ bottom shell off the top one will then slide off, and then the two will join back together in the middle.
The Xpress-On™ shells come in a range of different colour combinations to suit your mood and personality and the unique rubberized shells used on this and the predecessor handsets (5100, etc) offer reliability to the user.
FM Stereo Radio
The 5140 has, in the sales package, a stereo headset which connects to the protected Pop-Port™ on the bottom of the handset. This stereo headset also acts as the aerial for the Stereo FM radio and must be connected to the handset to allow the phone to pick up FM stations.
You can define your favorite stations and use the automatic tuning to save time or do everything manually if you wish. The FM station can be listened to via the headset or you can re-route the audio to the speakerphone if you wish.
VGA digital camera
A VGA digital camera is built into the back of the 5140, allowing you to capture images and video. The images captured can be up to a maximum resolution of 640 x 480 pixels and the videos captured can have an audio stream too.
The internal memory of the Nokia 5140 phone is only 4.2mB, so not many images and videos can be stored. They can however be transferred to another device via a USB data-cable (Pop-Port™ interface) or the Infrared port on the right hand-side of the phone.
For more about the camera, including example shots, check page two of this review, Camera Performance.
Digital Compass & Thermometer
Under the Applications menu is an "Extras" folder, which contains among other things a digital compass and thermometer. The digital compass needs to be calibrated before it can be used properly, which involves holding the handset flat and rotating it with the moving image displayed on the screen. Once this is done (it takes a few tries, you have to do it very slowly!) you can use the compass – which also shows degrees in the top left corner.
The digital thermometer is back in this model, just like it was in the 5100 from its non-colour predecessor. I never liked this feature during my trial as the handset was usually in my pocket, which was quite warm because of my body temperature. This gave me an incorrect reading of the temperature and was no use to me whatsoever. The temperature can be shown in both Celsius and Fahrenheit on the display next to the time if you wish.
One thing I noticed with the thermometer is that it's not shown when the phone is charging, because the phone will obviously heat up due to the power being pumped into the battery.
User interface themes
A step up from the basic coloured themes most other Series 40 Nokia devices have, the Nokia 5140 has user interface themes based around a single colour but they do more than change the colour of the user interface. The themes change the background of the menus (and wallpaper to the same image) so you aren't left with the boring white background anymore.
You cannot install extra themes on the 5140 but there are a lot of colours to choose from.
Built in flash-light and level
The Nokia 5140 has a built in flash light positioned at the top of the phone which is activated by holding down the hash (#) key. To turn on/off the 5100's flash light one would have to press the up button on the directional pad when the phone was idle. To keep the flash light on the up button would have to be quickly pressed twice. When you hold down the hash key on the 5140 the light will be turned on, and will stay on. To turn it off, just simply repeat the process of turning the flash-light on.
The small, clear bubble on the top of the handset (left-hand side) is a level. There is a small bubble located in the middle of it just like you would find in a spirit level. This is used in conjunction with the compass which requires the phone to be held level to ensure a correct reading.
Push-to-Talk (PTT) service
The first handset to hit the Australian Market with Push-to-Talk capability, the Nokia 5140 allows users to communicate with a single person or group of people with compatible phones instantly. The audio you send is (usually) transmitted directly though the loudspeaker of the receiving phone, and vice versa.
This new-age walkie-talkie service is now available on Telstra and Optus networks throughout Australia.
4,096 colour LCD @ 128 x 128 pixels
This 4,096 colour LCD is common for Series 40 devices and is not 100% suitable in my opinion for the handset. Because of the inbuilt VGA camera and WAP browser a larger display with higher resolution would have been much better suited.
More on the display and user interface can be found in the Problems/Issues section of this article as well as on page one, under the User Interface and Display heading.
Pop-Port™ interface with USB
A single interface, named the Pop-Port™ by Nokia allows every accessory compatible with a handset to use the same port removing the need for extra ports. The Pop-Port™ interface is high-speed, which can be used with a USB Data-cable for data transfers to and from the handset in the blink of an eye.
The Stereo headset in the sales pack is used with the Pop-Port™ to enable the Stereo FM radio to be used and Handsfree conversations to take place.
Infrared connectivity
Infrared is a connectivity option slowly being whisked out of new mobile handsets, but the 5140 still uses this – most probably because it doesn't have Bluetooth Wireless Technology.
The Infrared port is on the right-hand side of the handset behind the black window and can be used to receive and send data from one device to another.
CSD, HSCSD, GPRS and EDGE data compatibility
Four wireless data service protocols can be used and are supported on the Nokia 5140 handset. GPRS, which is used most often on the handset, can support speeds of 48kbp/s. It only gets faster with HSCSD and EDGE data services – and CSD/GSM data is the slowest of the bunch and is barely used anymore thanks to big improvements in wireless technology.
xHTML browser over TCP/IP stack
The WAP 2.0 browser can display all your favorite WAP-based sites (WML) and also has support for the xHTML language which is richer in multimedia (images and sounds, etc). The browser connects with a wireless data protocol, explained above.
The browser can download Java applications (and games), 16-chord polyphonic ring tones, images, and a world of information in a few button presses.
SMS/EMS, MMS, and e-mail messaging
Basic and advanced messaging options are available to you on the Nokia 5140. Simple SMS and EMS (picture) messaging can be used for quick and easy messages, extra long messages are also supported as always on a Nokia device.
MMS messaging and e-mail use a wireless protocol connection to download/send messages. An inbuilt Java application is used to connect to e-mail accounts and servers you define yourself. MMS messages can contain everything, from images and video to animations and text.
Java application and gaming environment
Java applications and games are supported on the Nokia 5140, and one application and one game are pre-installed on the handset for your fun. More can be downloaded in a number of ways; via the built-in WAP 2.0 browser, via the USB capable Pop-Port™, and via Infrared connections with a PC or laptop.
The game bundled with the phone is Adventure Race, and the Application is Fitness Coach. Java midlets that aren't games are stored in the "Collection" folder under the applications main menu.
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